Right now I’m reading Napoleon Hill’s Law of Success book. In his book, Hill explains the importance of finding your “definite chief aim” or purpose in life. All of us, whether we admit it or not, have something that we do just about better then anyone else on this planet. Steve Pavlina has his website StevePavlina.com, Beyonce has her music, Bill Gates has computers, Paris Hilton has being Paris Hilton, and so on.
Hill goes on to say that after analyzing more then 16,000 people he discovered “that ninety-five per cent of all who were analyzed were failures, and but five per cent were successes. (By the term “failure” is meant that they had failed to find happiness and the ordinary necessities of life without struggle that was almost unbearable.)”
“One of the most startling facts brought to light by those 16,000 analyses was the discovery that the ninety-five per cent who were classed as failures were in that class because they had no definite chief aim in life, while the five per cent constituting the successful not only had purposes that were definite, but they had, also, definite plans for the attainment of their purposes.”
Pretty crazy stuff right? Hill’s book was produced in 1928 and he was giving a 95% failure rate for most people and only a 5% success rate! If you look at the wealth in the United States today, it’s said that something like 10% of the population controls over 90% of the wealth. If I had to guess, I would say it was because those 10% have found their definite chief aims in life and are working towards them every day.
So what can we do to turn this trend around? I would like those of you reading this, to decide on a definite chief aim in your life, write out a plan to bring it into action, decide what you will receive in compensation for your work, and to begin taking action on it NOW!
“The key-note of this entire lesson may be found in the word “definite”.” Most people have either no definite chief aim in their life or one that is so general it doesn’t do them much good. For instance, if you’re in the first class, you’re like a ship sent out to sea without a destination. You’re going around and around, spending time, energy, and power without knowing exactly where you’re going or what you’re doing. Even if you do end up some place, chances are it might not be where you want or what you want to do. If you’re in the second group, people with very general aims, here’s a lesson to show you the importance of a definite chief aim:
“With the aid of a small reading glass you can teach yourself a great lesson on the value of organized effort. Through the use of such a glass you can focus the sun-rays on a definite spot so strongly that they will burn a hole through a plank. Remove the glass (which represents the definite purpose) and the same rays of sun can shine on that plank for a million years without burning it.”
Hill explains in his book that when he asked people the question “What Is Your Definite Purpose In Life”, many answered with something similar to what you see next:
“My definite purpose in life is to be of as much service to the world as possible and earn a good living.” As Hill so elaborately says, “That answer is about as definite as a frog’s conception of the size of the universe is accurate!” Let’s contrast that definite chief aim with someone like Bruce Lee “By 1980. I will be the best known Oriental movie star in the United States and will have secured $10 million dollars… And in return I will give the very best acting I could possibly give every single time I am in front of the camera and I will live in peace and harmony.” See the difference?
Finding Your Definite Chief Aim
Here are two questions, taken from Deepak Chopra’s book, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, that should help you find your definite chief aim in life.
“Sit down and make a list of the answers to these two questions: Ask yourself, if money was no concern and you had all the time and money in the world, what would you do? If you would still do what you are currently doing, then you are in dharma (living according to your higher purpose), because you have a passion for what you do – you are expressing your unique talents. Then ask yourself: How am I best suited to serve humanity? Answer that question, and put it into practice. “
If you cannot answer these questions, ask yourself, “Why can’t I answer these questions?” Is it fear or uncertainty that is holding you back? Is it fear of what others will think? Or that you can’t make enough money doing what you love? Or that it might not go how have you planned? Almost anything that you are going to do, no matter how crazy or outlandish it might seem, someone has done before you, and if I had to guess, they’ve probably even written a book on how to do it as well. You can study their work and come up with a plan for yourself or you can just begin easing into it. For instance, if you would like to become a world-champion martial artist, you can start by researching some gyms in the area and taking a class at the one that you like best. If you’d like to write a book on health, you can begin asking people you know what they would most like to get out of reading a health book. If your goal is to become Mr. Olympia, you can send an email to a former Olympian asking how they became a success.
By the way, feel free to shoot as high as possible for your definite chief aim. Don’t be afraid to shoot for the stars. You owe it to yourself, your friends, family, and the community around you to dream big.
Benefits of A Definite Chief Aim
* Feeling good and on purpose as you know what you’re doing with your life
* Attracting to yourself people/situations/circumstances/events in alignment with your new good vibration
* Having a sense of direction
* Enthusiasm and excitement that come with a sense of purpose
* Drive, fuel, and fire to make your aim a reality
* Increased income as evidenced by those who have succeeded (Hill’s successful 5%)
In Closing
Decide now what you want to do. Write out a plan for its achievement. Decide what you will get in return for its achievement and begin taking steps now while making changes and corrections along the way. After you write out your definite chief aim, I would recommend putting it up somewhere where you will see it every day. Read it to yourself upon awaking and before going to bed. You want it to become as firmly ingrained in your mind as possible. For those of you who pray, ask God for divine guidance. Ask him to move you closer to your purpose and reality.
You can do it! I know you can!
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